Mon, Aug 12, 2024 6:00 AM
10,000 trees planted in July
David Short and Michael Markert, volunteers for the Te Mamaku Native Corridor Project who planted 10,000 trees throughout July. Photo: Supplied.
Eloise Martyn
The Te Mamaku Native Corridor Project has maintained its success by planting 10,000 trees throughout July.
The project, run by dedicated local volunteers under the leadership of David Short and Michael Markert, aims to create a link by connecting two wetlands from the Moutere Inlet to the Waimea Estuary with a native forest corridor providing biodiversity for migrating birds, and insects, along SH60 at Te Mamaku Drive, formerly known as the Ruby Bay Bypass.
“In November of last year, an additional 3.8 hectares were cleared of wilding pine trees, wattles, gorse, and blackberries in preparation for the winter planting,” shares Michael.
Over July, professional contractors planted the trees with about 40 volunteers following up to place plant guards around them.
“It has been a huge success for this season, which is very visible for everybody driving along the highway or while walking, biking or horse riding on the public Dicker Loop Track which guides users through the middle of the plantings.
“We started in 2022 with planting a humble 1,800 trees, in 2023 we made visible progress with 12,200 trees going in the ground, and with the latest additions the plantings now total 24,000, which is amazing.”
The 2024 plantings have been made possible through grants from Rā Rākau Tītapu - King Charles III Coronation Plantings via DOC/TreesThatCount, Lottery Environment and Heritage, Rātā Foundation, NBS, NZMCA, Network Tasman and TDC. Fulton Hogan provided traffic management while clearing the land - and the amazing volunteers who have contributed more than 400 volunteer hours.
The project has received widespread recognition and was a beneficiary of the Restoring the Moutere Project, which was awarded a Freshwater Championship of the Cawthron Institute at the Te Papa Museum in Wellington in May 2024 as one of five projects from 55 nominations from all over New Zealand.
For information, to view drone footage, make donations, or get involved, go here.
